Attributes

In determining our S.H.A.P.E. as a disciple, we need to know how God created us as unique individuals. Once we are saved and pursuing a holy relationship with God, through the Holy Spirit, He will reveal His will for our lives.

God has uniquely created us with special attributes which enable us to fulfill the specific plans and purposes that He has determined for us to follow.

In this lesson, we will examine various attributes that will help narrow your focus of God’s will for you based on how He created you. In the next lesson, we will examine how to discover the plans and purposes God has determined specifically for your life.

God creating you as a unique individual is reflected in Psalm 139:13-14, which says, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” This scripture highlights the fact that God is intimately involved in creating every person, and that He has carefully crafted each individual with special characteristics.

One way in which God has uniquely created man is by making them in His own image. According to Genesis 1:26-27, “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” This scripture teaches that each person is created to reflect the character and nature of God and has inherent value and worth because they are made in His image.

Besides being made in God’s image, the Bible also teaches that God has unique plans and purposes for people’s lives. This is reflected in the verse Jeremiah 29:11, which says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” This verse suggests that God desires to bless and use each person in a unique and specific way, and that He has a plan for their life that is centered on their welfare and well-being.

Furthermore, the Bible teaches God is sovereign over all aspects of our lives, and that He works everything together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Even when we face difficulties and challenges, God uses those experiences to shape us and mold us into the people He desires us to be.

The attributes of a Disciple are more than a normal human. All people are given unique traits while they are being created for their physical birth. During a person’s life, they also develop unique talents and abilities. We even considered some people naturally gifted because of having special talents and abilities that seem to be part of their genetic makeup, allowing them to far exceed the norm. However, Christians are given new attributes when they are spiritually born. The Holy Spirit imputes spiritual gifts, desires, and passions that were not present prior to salvation. Together with life experiences, God crafts individuals that can uniquely fulfill His will according to His plans.

1. Unique Traits

Definition: a distinguishing quality or characteristic, typically one belonging to a person, a genetically determined characteristic, esp. of a personality:

A trait, as related to genetics, is a specific characteristic of an individual. Traits can be determined by genes, environmental factors or by a combination of both. Traits can be qualitative (such as eye color) or quantitative (such as height or blood pressure). When you think of the word traits, you might think of personality traits like compassionate or a good sense of humor. In genetics, traits are characteristics about humans and other living organisms that can be described or measured. Traits can be physical or behavioral. (Hull, Sara Chandros. “Trait” National Human Genome Research Institute, 27, Dec. 2022, https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Trait)

Consider how God has uniquely created you based on:

a. Genetics – specific genetic traits, including gender, race, intelligence, et

b. Personality – specific personality traits, including conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, openness, and extraversion.

With what unique traits has God created you?

2. Spiritual Gifts/Talents/Abilities

Some people are naturally talented, while others develop and build skills and abilities throughout life.

These include being creative, artistic, musical, analytical, mathematical, or athletic, along with demonstrating unique skills of leadership, communication, intuitiveness, relational, empathetic, and problem solving.

After salvation, the Holy Spirit imputes new spiritual gifts to disciples.

Spiritual gifts include prophesying, pastoring, administration, teaching, leadership, encouraging, evangelizing, serving, giving, hospitality, and mercy. (Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 4:11, 1 Peter 4:9-11)

Although some of these spiritual gifts may seem like natural talents and abilities, God empowers His disciples to use these gifts in His service according to His will.

What spiritual gifts, talents, and abilities has God equipped you for as a disciple?

3. Experiences

“You can’t understand someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes” is a popular quote.

God created you at a specific time in history with your family in a specific location. These influences provide you with unique experiences that God determined for your life that shape your development.

What experiences have prepared you for service as a disciple?

4. Desires/Passions

There are natural desires and passions towards family, career, hobbies, and activities.

Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

As disciples devote themselves to the Lord, He transforms their desires in accordance with the plans He has for their life. His desires and cares become their desires and cares.

How do your desires and passions align with the Lord’s as His disciple?

In the next lesson, we will examine how to discover the plans and purposes God has determined specifically for your life.